#decatur — Public Fediverse posts

Minority Business Institute graduates first class | Local News

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) – The first session of the Springfield Minority Business Institute is officially completed. The program…
#UnitedStates #US #USA #america #business #community #Decatur #entrepreneur #graduates #illinois #LocalNews #program #springfieldminoritybusinessinstitute #unitedstatesofamerica #wand #wandnews #wandtv
https://www.europesays.com/3006250/

Hype for the Future 196A: City of Independence, Iowa

https://novatopflex.wordpress.com/2026/05/15/hype-for-the-future-196a-city-of-independence-iowa/

Hype for the Future 196A: City of Independence, Iowa

https://novatopflex.wordpress.com/2026/05/15/hype-for-the-future-196a-city-of-independence-iowa/

Hype for the Future 196A: City of Independence, Iowa

https://novatopflex.wordpress.com/2026/05/15/hype-for-the-future-196a-city-of-independence-iowa/

Hype for the Future 196A: City of Independence, Iowa

https://novatopflex.wordpress.com/2026/05/15/hype-for-the-future-196a-city-of-independence-iowa/

Hype for the Future 196A: City of Independence, Iowa

https://novatopflex.wordpress.com/2026/05/15/hype-for-the-future-196a-city-of-independence-iowa/

Decatur: The way forward is a bond referendum

On Monday, Decaturish published essays by Decatur school board members, Tracey Anderson and Lorraine Irier. Among several concerns is their contention that the board’s three other members (Carmen Sulton, Hans Utz, and James Herndon), as well as City Schools of Decatur’s administration and myriad consultants, do not share vital, relevant information with them or the public in a clear, timely manner.

The focal point of their off-pissedness is the way the school board is pursuing the planning, financing, design and construction of a new early childhood learning center on the green space next to Ebster gym.

Writes Irier:

“Questions regarding financing structures, recusal standards, legal expenditures, contracts, and outside consultants have too often been treated as obstacles rather than legitimate oversight responsibilities. I have experienced firsthand how difficult it can be to obtain basic information necessary for effective board oversight, with requests for contracts, legal expenditures, and consultant information at times framed as disruptive rather than part of a board member’s fiduciary duties.”

Before running letters from Irier and Anderson, Decaturish asked Utz, Sulton and Herndon to respond. They declined.

Instead, at Tuesday’s public board meeting, Utz, Sulton and Herndon decided to show instead of tell.

Shortly after the meeting began, Utz motioned to withdraw from the agenda a planned vote on the new daycare building’s financing.

Everyone observing the meeting could plainly see that Irier and Anderson were surprised by Utz’s surprise motion. Irier’s jaw literally dropped. Anderson asked a series of follow-up questions.

It wasn’t a surprise to everyone though. Sulton and Herndon were evidently not caught off guard. They asked no questions.

By that point, the five board members had been in the same place for six hours at multiple meetings. Utz, Sulton and Herndon did not tell Irier and Anderson. The secrecy, furtiveness and clique-ishness that Irier and Anderson noted in writing was acted out in the meeting, and recorded for posterity on Zoom.

What Sulton, Utz and Herndon did to Irier and Anderson in that meeting, they’re doing to others.

Here’s what Decatur Mayor Tony Powers said about the school board in March:

“I, for one, am tired of the interactions that we continue to have with our [school board]. It is not acceptable behavior, in any case, whatsoever. It is not open. It is not transparent. It is not good governance.”

And here’s what Decatur City Commissioner Mark Arnold said about the school board’s pursuit of the new daycare center in March:

“I think what CSD has done is a gross violation of our values, our traditions, our processes, and I think they’ve demonstrated extraordinarily bad faith.”

The problem here isn’t hurt feelings or bonhomie for bonhomie’s sake. This problem is that this is lousy governance of a city where I live and the schools my children attend.

City residents have five school board representatives. Three of them are excluding the other two overseeing an issue of great importance. Three of them are alternately ignoring, thumbing their noses or otherwise hissing at reasonable public inquiries and/or opposition. Irier and Anderson aren’t the ones being shoved aside. The Decatur residents they represent are the ones being shoved aside.

I believe that every person on the board and the superintendent want to push the city to close education achievement gaps. I believe they want to do that by offering the best early childhood education possible to all Decatur children, even if their families can’t afford tuition at College Heights. Just typing those words on my own blog is music to the ears of my increasingly left-tilting head.

While I was watching Tuesday’s board meeting on Zoom, my eavesdropping 10th grade daughter said “Are they talking about the buckets?”

What buckets, I would have asked, but before I could ask she started describing a hallway at Decatur High School with several buckets to catch water leaking from the ceiling. Before I could ask a follow-up, she pivoted to “My art teacher has to buy her own pens. She shouldn’t have to buy art supplies.”

The kid’s breathless riff at me unintentionally distilled our school board’s dilemma. It’s every school board’s dilemma, in fact. Schools and school systems have more needs than they have resources to meet those needs. Using every dollar as wisely as possible isn’t a nice-to-do. It’s a must-do.

Her distillation of the problem also points the way to a solution.

The school board is clearly at an impasse. Some board members and city residents want to build a new daycare facility that will require $23 to $28 million in new financing. Other board members and city residents think the city can deliver equally great early childhood education to all of our children by creating new learning spaces inside existing, underused school buildings.

If we can agree on how to achieve the big shared goal (education equity via early childhood learning) at lower cost, the city will have more resources to ensure that gains made with 0-4s will stick for K-12s — such as more instructors for kids who need extra help, pay raises for our educators and support staff.

A citywide referendum on the proposed new early childhood learning center is the way forward. Along with subverting the will of Decatur’s residents (which would be bad enough), funding a building without putting it to a referendum would add $6 million to the price tag. Let’s also put alternative solutions (such as retrofitting existing spaces) to a vote. While we’re referend’n, let’s put funding for repairs and upgrades at Decatur High School to a vote, too. Put the Posca pens on the ballot, too. I’m sure the art teacher would appreciate that.

Based on what I know right now, I would vote to fund renovating parts of College Heights or another CSD elementary building, and providing additional tuition-free care there. I am eager to vote to tax myself to pay for kids to attend the same facility that served our family so well.

Proponents of a new ECLC building have said my preferred option (renovation) is not viable, but haven’t convinced me. My willingness to take them at their word has been fading as months have gone by without meaningful explanations of costs and considerations. What little willingness I had left vanished completely when a senior Decatur school official depicted the SoulShine daycare on West Howard Ave as a literal fireball (see the photo on this page if you think I’m exaggerating).

To be clear, I’m not saying that proponents of a new ECLC are lying about their budgets. I am saying that I have a benefit of the doubt budget and that CSD exhausted it. I don’t think I’m alone in that. Thanks to poor communication, questionable math, and bad attitudes, proponents of a new building do not have my support.

I’m just one person though. All Decatur voters should decide.

Putting municipal bond questions to voters is as American as eagles wearing shades and bandanas. It’s as American as German Chocolate Cake, which is from Pennsylvania. And it’s way more American than the song “American Woman,” which is Canadian. Have you listened to the lyrics? They are not happy with us.

So, yeah, a bond referendum would be patriotic af, help our city settle a contentious issue, and (I hope) generate the money and political agreement to provide early childhood education for kids who need and deserve it. Also, I wouldn’t have to write about this again, which would be a relief to me and tens of others.

Decatur: The way forward is a bond referendum

On Monday, Decaturish published essays by Decatur school board members, Tracey Anderson and Lorraine Irier. Among several concerns is their contention that the board’s three other members (Carmen Sulton, Hans Utz, and James Herndon), as well as City Schools of Decatur’s administration and myriad consultants, do not share vital, relevant information with them or the public in a clear, timely manner.

The focal point of their off-pissedness is the way the school board is pursuing the planning, financing, design and construction of a new early childhood learning center on the green space next to Ebster gym.

Writes Irier:

“Questions regarding financing structures, recusal standards, legal expenditures, contracts, and outside consultants have too often been treated as obstacles rather than legitimate oversight responsibilities. I have experienced firsthand how difficult it can be to obtain basic information necessary for effective board oversight, with requests for contracts, legal expenditures, and consultant information at times framed as disruptive rather than part of a board member’s fiduciary duties.”

Before running letters from Irier and Anderson, Decaturish asked Utz, Sulton and Herndon to respond. They declined.

Instead, at Tuesday’s public board meeting, Utz, Sulton and Herndon decided to show instead of tell.

Shortly after the meeting began, Utz motioned to withdraw from the agenda a planned vote on the new daycare building’s financing.

Everyone observing the meeting could plainly see that Irier and Anderson were surprised by Utz’s surprise motion. Irier’s jaw literally dropped. Anderson asked a series of follow-up questions.

It wasn’t a surprise to everyone though. Sulton and Herndon were evidently not caught off guard. They asked no questions.

By that point, the five board members had been in the same place for six hours at multiple meetings. Utz, Sulton and Herndon did not tell Irier and Anderson. The secrecy, furtiveness and clique-ishness that Irier and Anderson noted in writing was acted out in the meeting, and recorded for posterity on Zoom.

What Sulton, Utz and Herndon did to Irier and Anderson in that meeting, they’re doing to others.

Here’s what Decatur Mayor Tony Powers said about the school board in March:

“I, for one, am tired of the interactions that we continue to have with our [school board]. It is not acceptable behavior, in any case, whatsoever. It is not open. It is not transparent. It is not good governance.”

And here’s what Decatur City Commissioner Mark Arnold said about the school board’s pursuit of the new daycare center in March:

“I think what CSD has done is a gross violation of our values, our traditions, our processes, and I think they’ve demonstrated extraordinarily bad faith.”

The problem here isn’t hurt feelings or bonhomie for bonhomie’s sake. This problem is that this is lousy governance of a city where I live and the schools my children attend.

City residents have five school board representatives. Three of them are excluding the other two overseeing an issue of great importance. Three of them are alternately ignoring, thumbing their noses or otherwise hissing at reasonable public inquiries and/or opposition. Irier and Anderson aren’t the ones being shoved aside. The Decatur residents they represent are the ones being shoved aside.

I believe that every person on the board and the superintendent want to push the city to close education achievement gaps. I believe they want to do that by offering the best early childhood education possible to all Decatur children, even if their families can’t afford tuition at College Heights. Just typing those words on my own blog is music to the ears of my increasingly left-tilting head.

While I was watching Tuesday’s board meeting on Zoom, my eavesdropping 10th grade daughter said “Are they talking about the buckets?”

What buckets, I would have asked, but before I could ask she started describing a hallway at Decatur High School with several buckets to catch water leaking from the ceiling. Before I could ask a follow-up, she pivoted to “My art teacher has to buy her own pens. She shouldn’t have to buy art supplies.”

The kid’s breathless riff at me unintentionally distilled our school board’s dilemma. It’s every school board’s dilemma, in fact. Schools and school systems have more needs than they have resources to meet those needs. Using every dollar as wisely as possible isn’t a nice-to-do. It’s a must-do.

Her distillation of the problem also points the way to a solution.

The school board is clearly at an impasse. Some board members and city residents want to build a new daycare facility that will require $23 to $28 million in new financing. Other board members and city residents think the city can deliver equally great early childhood education to all of our children by creating new learning spaces inside existing, underused school buildings.

If we can agree on how to achieve the big shared goal (education equity via early childhood learning) at lower cost, the city will have more resources to ensure that gains made with 0-4s will stick for K-12s — such as more instructors for kids who need extra help, pay raises for our educators and support staff.

A citywide referendum on the proposed new early childhood learning center is the way forward. Along with subverting the will of Decatur’s residents (which would be bad enough), funding a building without putting it to a referendum would add $6 million to the price tag. Let’s also put alternative solutions (such as retrofitting existing spaces) to a vote. While we’re referend’n, let’s put funding for repairs and upgrades at Decatur High School to a vote, too. Put the Posca pens on the ballot, too. I’m sure the art teacher would appreciate that.

Based on what I know right now, I would vote to fund renovating parts of College Heights or another CSD elementary building, and providing additional tuition-free care there. I am eager to vote to tax myself to pay for kids to attend the same facility that served our family so well.

Proponents of a new ECLC building have said my preferred option (renovation) is not viable, but haven’t convinced me. My willingness to take them at their word has been fading as months have gone by without meaningful explanations of costs and considerations. What little willingness I had left vanished completely when a senior Decatur school official depicted the SoulShine daycare on West Howard Ave as a literal fireball (see the photo on this page if you think I’m exaggerating).

To be clear, I’m not saying that proponents of a new ECLC are lying about their budgets. I am saying that I have a benefit of the doubt budget and that CSD exhausted it. I don’t think I’m alone in that. Thanks to poor communication, questionable math, and bad attitudes, proponents of a new building do not have my support.

I’m just one person though. All Decatur voters should decide.

Putting municipal bond questions to voters is as American as eagles wearing shades and bandanas. It’s as American as German Chocolate Cake, which is from Pennsylvania. And it’s way more American than the song “American Woman,” which is Canadian. Have you listened to the lyrics? They are not happy with us.

So, yeah, a bond referendum would be patriotic af, help our city settle a contentious issue, and (I hope) generate the money and political agreement to provide early childhood education for kids who need and deserve it. Also, I wouldn’t have to write about this again, which would be a relief to me and tens of others.

Decatur: The way forward is a bond referendum

On Monday, Decaturish published essays by Decatur school board members, Tracey Anderson and Lorraine Irier. Among several concerns is their contention that the board’s three other members (Carmen Sulton, Hans Utz, and James Herndon), as well as City Schools of Decatur’s administration and myriad consultants, do not share vital, relevant information with them or the public in a clear, timely manner.

The focal point of their off-pissedness is the way the school board is pursuing the planning, financing, design and construction of a new early childhood learning center on the green space next to Ebster gym.

Writes Irier:

“Questions regarding financing structures, recusal standards, legal expenditures, contracts, and outside consultants have too often been treated as obstacles rather than legitimate oversight responsibilities. I have experienced firsthand how difficult it can be to obtain basic information necessary for effective board oversight, with requests for contracts, legal expenditures, and consultant information at times framed as disruptive rather than part of a board member’s fiduciary duties.”

Before running letters from Irier and Anderson, Decaturish asked Utz, Sulton and Herndon to respond. They declined.

Instead, at Tuesday’s public board meeting, Utz, Sulton and Herndon decided to show instead of tell.

Shortly after the meeting began, Utz motioned to withdraw from the agenda a planned vote on the new daycare building’s financing.

Everyone observing the meeting could plainly see that Irier and Anderson were surprised by Utz’s surprise motion. Irier’s jaw literally dropped. Anderson asked a series of follow-up questions.

It wasn’t a surprise to everyone though. Sulton and Herndon were evidently not caught off guard. They asked no questions.

By that point, the five board members had been in the same place for six hours at multiple meetings. Utz, Sulton and Herndon did not tell Irier and Anderson. The secrecy, furtiveness and clique-ishness that Irier and Anderson noted in writing was acted out in the meeting, and recorded for posterity on Zoom.

What Sulton, Utz and Herndon did to Irier and Anderson in that meeting, they’re doing to others.

Here’s what Decatur Mayor Tony Powers said about the school board in March:

“I, for one, am tired of the interactions that we continue to have with our [school board]. It is not acceptable behavior, in any case, whatsoever. It is not open. It is not transparent. It is not good governance.”

And here’s what Decatur City Commissioner Mark Arnold said about the school board’s pursuit of the new daycare center in March:

“I think what CSD has done is a gross violation of our values, our traditions, our processes, and I think they’ve demonstrated extraordinarily bad faith.”

The problem here isn’t hurt feelings or bonhomie for bonhomie’s sake. This problem is that this is lousy governance of a city where I live and the schools my children attend.

City residents have five school board representatives. Three of them are excluding the other two overseeing an issue of great importance. Three of them are alternately ignoring, thumbing their noses or otherwise hissing at reasonable public inquiries and/or opposition. Irier and Anderson aren’t the ones being shoved aside. The Decatur residents they represent are the ones being shoved aside.

I believe that every person on the board and the superintendent want to push the city to close education achievement gaps. I believe they want to do that by offering the best early childhood education possible to all Decatur children, even if their families can’t afford tuition at College Heights. Just typing those words on my own blog is music to the ears of my increasingly left-tilting head.

While I was watching Tuesday’s board meeting on Zoom, my eavesdropping 10th grade daughter said “Are they talking about the buckets?”

What buckets, I would have asked, but before I could ask she started describing a hallway at Decatur High School with several buckets to catch water leaking from the ceiling. Before I could ask a follow-up, she pivoted to “My art teacher has to buy her own pens. She shouldn’t have to buy art supplies.”

The kid’s breathless riff at me unintentionally distilled our school board’s dilemma. It’s every school board’s dilemma, in fact. Schools and school systems have more needs than they have resources to meet those needs. Using every dollar as wisely as possible isn’t a nice-to-do. It’s a must-do.

Her distillation of the problem also points the way to a solution.

The school board is clearly at an impasse. Some board members and city residents want to build a new daycare facility that will require $23 to $28 million in new financing. Other board members and city residents think the city can deliver equally great early childhood education to all of our children by creating new learning spaces inside existing, underused school buildings.

If we can agree on how to achieve the big shared goal (education equity via early childhood learning) at lower cost, the city will have more resources to ensure that gains made with 0-4s will stick for K-12s — such as more instructors for kids who need extra help, pay raises for our educators and support staff.

A citywide referendum on the proposed new early childhood learning center is the way forward. Along with subverting the will of Decatur’s residents (which would be bad enough), funding a building without putting it to a referendum would add $6 million to the price tag. Let’s also put alternative solutions (such as retrofitting existing spaces) to a vote. While we’re referend’n, let’s put funding for repairs and upgrades at Decatur High School to a vote, too. Put the Posca pens on the ballot, too. I’m sure the art teacher would appreciate that.

Based on what I know right now, I would vote to fund renovating parts of College Heights or another CSD elementary building, and providing additional tuition-free care there. I am eager to vote to tax myself to pay for kids to attend the same facility that served our family so well.

Proponents of a new ECLC building have said my preferred option (renovation) is not viable, but haven’t convinced me. My willingness to take them at their word has been fading as months have gone by without meaningful explanations of costs and considerations. What little willingness I had left vanished completely when a senior Decatur school official depicted the SoulShine daycare on West Howard Ave as a literal fireball (see the photo on this page if you think I’m exaggerating).

To be clear, I’m not saying that proponents of a new ECLC are lying about their budgets. I am saying that I have a benefit of the doubt budget and that CSD exhausted it. I don’t think I’m alone in that. Thanks to poor communication, questionable math, and bad attitudes, proponents of a new building do not have my support.

I’m just one person though. All Decatur voters should decide.

Putting municipal bond questions to voters is as American as eagles wearing shades and bandanas. It’s as American as German Chocolate Cake, which is from Pennsylvania. And it’s way more American than the song “American Woman,” which is Canadian. Have you listened to the lyrics? They are not happy with us.

So, yeah, a bond referendum would be patriotic af, help our city settle a contentious issue, and (I hope) generate the money and political agreement to provide early childhood education for kids who need and deserve it. Also, I wouldn’t have to write about this again, which would be a relief to me and tens of others.

Decatur: The way forward is a bond referendum

On Monday, Decaturish published essays by Decatur school board members, Tracey Anderson and Lorraine Irier. Among several concerns is their contention that the board’s three other members (Carmen Sulton, Hans Utz, and James Herndon), as well as City Schools of Decatur’s administration and myriad consultants, do not share vital, relevant information with them or the public in a clear, timely manner.

The focal point of their off-pissedness is the way the school board is pursuing the planning, financing, design and construction of a new early childhood learning center on the green space next to Ebster gym.

Writes Irier:

“Questions regarding financing structures, recusal standards, legal expenditures, contracts, and outside consultants have too often been treated as obstacles rather than legitimate oversight responsibilities. I have experienced firsthand how difficult it can be to obtain basic information necessary for effective board oversight, with requests for contracts, legal expenditures, and consultant information at times framed as disruptive rather than part of a board member’s fiduciary duties.”

Before running letters from Irier and Anderson, Decaturish asked Utz, Sulton and Herndon to respond. They declined.

Instead, at Tuesday’s public board meeting, Utz, Sulton and Herndon decided to show instead of tell.

Shortly after the meeting began, Utz motioned to withdraw from the agenda a planned vote on the new daycare building’s financing.

Everyone observing the meeting could plainly see that Irier and Anderson were surprised by Utz’s surprise motion. Irier’s jaw literally dropped. Anderson asked a series of follow-up questions.

It wasn’t a surprise to everyone though. Sulton and Herndon were evidently not caught off guard. They asked no questions.

By that point, the five board members had been in the same place for six hours at multiple meetings. Utz, Sulton and Herndon did not tell Irier and Anderson. The secrecy, furtiveness and clique-ishness that Irier and Anderson noted in writing was acted out in the meeting, and recorded for posterity on Zoom.

What Sulton, Utz and Herndon did to Irier and Anderson in that meeting, they’re doing to others.

Here’s what Decatur Mayor Tony Powers said about the school board in March:

“I, for one, am tired of the interactions that we continue to have with our [school board]. It is not acceptable behavior, in any case, whatsoever. It is not open. It is not transparent. It is not good governance.”

And here’s what Decatur City Commissioner Mark Arnold said about the school board’s pursuit of the new daycare center in March:

“I think what CSD has done is a gross violation of our values, our traditions, our processes, and I think they’ve demonstrated extraordinarily bad faith.”

The problem here isn’t hurt feelings or bonhomie for bonhomie’s sake. This problem is that this is lousy governance of a city where I live and the schools my children attend.

City residents have five school board representatives. Three of them are excluding the other two overseeing an issue of great importance. Three of them are alternately ignoring, thumbing their noses or otherwise hissing at reasonable public inquiries and/or opposition. Irier and Anderson aren’t the ones being shoved aside. The Decatur residents they represent are the ones being shoved aside.

I believe that every person on the board and the superintendent want to push the city to close education achievement gaps. I believe they want to do that by offering the best early childhood education possible to all Decatur children, even if their families can’t afford tuition at College Heights. Just typing those words on my own blog is music to the ears of my increasingly left-tilting head.

While I was watching Tuesday’s board meeting on Zoom, my eavesdropping 10th grade daughter said “Are they talking about the buckets?”

What buckets, I would have asked, but before I could ask she started describing a hallway at Decatur High School with several buckets to catch water leaking from the ceiling. Before I could ask a follow-up, she pivoted to “My art teacher has to buy her own pens. She shouldn’t have to buy art supplies.”

The kid’s breathless riff at me unintentionally distilled our school board’s dilemma. It’s every school board’s dilemma, in fact. Schools and school systems have more needs than they have resources to meet those needs. Using every dollar as wisely as possible isn’t a nice-to-do. It’s a must-do.

Her distillation of the problem also points the way to a solution.

The school board is clearly at an impasse. Some board members and city residents want to build a new daycare facility that will require $23 to $28 million in new financing. Other board members and city residents think the city can deliver equally great early childhood education to all of our children by creating new learning spaces inside existing, underused school buildings.

If we can agree on how to achieve the big shared goal (education equity via early childhood learning) at lower cost, the city will have more resources to ensure that gains made with 0-4s will stick for K-12s — such as more instructors for kids who need extra help, pay raises for our educators and support staff.

A citywide referendum on the proposed new early childhood learning center is the way forward. Along with subverting the will of Decatur’s residents (which would be bad enough), funding a building without putting it to a referendum would add $6 million to the price tag. Let’s also put alternative solutions (such as retrofitting existing spaces) to a vote. While we’re referend’n, let’s put funding for repairs and upgrades at Decatur High School to a vote, too. Put the Posca pens on the ballot, too. I’m sure the art teacher would appreciate that.

Based on what I know right now, I would vote to fund renovating parts of College Heights or another CSD elementary building, and providing additional tuition-free care there. I am eager to vote to tax myself to pay for kids to attend the same facility that served our family so well.

Proponents of a new ECLC building have said my preferred option (renovation) is not viable, but haven’t convinced me. My willingness to take them at their word has been fading as months have gone by without meaningful explanations of costs and considerations. What little willingness I had left vanished completely when a senior Decatur school official depicted the SoulShine daycare on West Howard Ave as a literal fireball (see the photo on this page if you think I’m exaggerating).

To be clear, I’m not saying that proponents of a new ECLC are lying about their budgets. I am saying that I have a benefit of the doubt budget and that CSD exhausted it. I don’t think I’m alone in that. Thanks to poor communication, questionable math, and bad attitudes, proponents of a new building do not have my support.

I’m just one person though. All Decatur voters should decide.

Putting municipal bond questions to voters is as American as eagles wearing shades and bandanas. It’s as American as German Chocolate Cake, which is from Pennsylvania. And it’s way more American than the song “American Woman,” which is Canadian. Have you listened to the lyrics? They are not happy with us.

So, yeah, a bond referendum would be patriotic af, help our city settle a contentious issue, and (I hope) generate the money and political agreement to provide early childhood education for kids who need and deserve it. Also, I wouldn’t have to write about this again, which would be a relief to me and tens of others.

Decatur: The way forward is a bond referendum

On Monday, Decaturish published essays by Decatur school board members, Tracey Anderson and Lorraine Irier. Among several concerns is their contention that the board’s three other members (Carmen Sulton, Hans Utz, and James Herndon), as well as City Schools of Decatur’s administration and myriad consultants, do not share vital, relevant information with them or the public in a clear, timely manner.

The focal point of their off-pissedness is the way the school board is pursuing the planning, financing, design and construction of a new early childhood learning center on the green space next to Ebster gym.

Writes Irier:

“Questions regarding financing structures, recusal standards, legal expenditures, contracts, and outside consultants have too often been treated as obstacles rather than legitimate oversight responsibilities. I have experienced firsthand how difficult it can be to obtain basic information necessary for effective board oversight, with requests for contracts, legal expenditures, and consultant information at times framed as disruptive rather than part of a board member’s fiduciary duties.”

Before running letters from Irier and Anderson, Decaturish asked Utz, Sulton and Herndon to respond. They declined.

Instead, at Tuesday’s public board meeting, Utz, Sulton and Herndon decided to show instead of tell.

Shortly after the meeting began, Utz motioned to withdraw from the agenda a planned vote on the new daycare building’s financing.

Everyone observing the meeting could plainly see that Irier and Anderson were surprised by Utz’s surprise motion. Irier’s jaw literally dropped. Anderson asked a series of follow-up questions.

It wasn’t a surprise to everyone though. Sulton and Herndon were evidently not caught off guard. They asked no questions.

By that point, the five board members had been in the same place for six hours at multiple meetings. Utz, Sulton and Herndon did not tell Irier and Anderson. The secrecy, furtiveness and clique-ishness that Irier and Anderson noted in writing was acted out in the meeting, and recorded for posterity on Zoom.

What Sulton, Utz and Herndon did to Irier and Anderson in that meeting, they’re doing to others.

Here’s what Decatur Mayor Tony Powers said about the school board in March:

“I, for one, am tired of the interactions that we continue to have with our [school board]. It is not acceptable behavior, in any case, whatsoever. It is not open. It is not transparent. It is not good governance.”

And here’s what Decatur City Commissioner Mark Arnold said about the school board’s pursuit of the new daycare center in March:

“I think what CSD has done is a gross violation of our values, our traditions, our processes, and I think they’ve demonstrated extraordinarily bad faith.”

The problem here isn’t hurt feelings or bonhomie for bonhomie’s sake. This problem is that this is lousy governance of a city where I live and the schools my children attend.

City residents have five school board representatives. Three of them are excluding the other two overseeing an issue of great importance. Three of them are alternately ignoring, thumbing their noses or otherwise hissing at reasonable public inquiries and/or opposition. Irier and Anderson aren’t the ones being shoved aside. The Decatur residents they represent are the ones being shoved aside.

I believe that every person on the board and the superintendent want to push the city to close education achievement gaps. I believe they want to do that by offering the best early childhood education possible to all Decatur children, even if their families can’t afford tuition at College Heights. Just typing those words on my own blog is music to the ears of my increasingly left-tilting head.

While I was watching Tuesday’s board meeting on Zoom, my eavesdropping 10th grade daughter said “Are they talking about the buckets?”

What buckets, I would have asked, but before I could ask she started describing a hallway at Decatur High School with several buckets to catch water leaking from the ceiling. Before I could ask a follow-up, she pivoted to “My art teacher has to buy her own pens. She shouldn’t have to buy art supplies.”

The kid’s breathless riff at me unintentionally distilled our school board’s dilemma. It’s every school board’s dilemma, in fact. Schools and school systems have more needs than they have resources to meet those needs. Using every dollar as wisely as possible isn’t a nice-to-do. It’s a must-do.

Her distillation of the problem also points the way to a solution.

The school board is clearly at an impasse. Some board members and city residents want to build a new daycare facility that will require $23 to $28 million in new financing. Other board members and city residents think the city can deliver equally great early childhood education to all of our children by creating new learning spaces inside existing, underused school buildings.

If we can agree on how to achieve the big shared goal (education equity via early childhood learning) at lower cost, the city will have more resources to ensure that gains made with 0-4s will stick for K-12s — such as more instructors for kids who need extra help, pay raises for our educators and support staff.

A citywide referendum on the proposed new early childhood learning center is the way forward. Along with subverting the will of Decatur’s residents (which would be bad enough), funding a building without putting it to a referendum would add $6 million to the price tag. Let’s also put alternative solutions (such as retrofitting existing spaces) to a vote. While we’re referend’n, let’s put funding for repairs and upgrades at Decatur High School to a vote, too. Put the Posca pens on the ballot, too. I’m sure the art teacher would appreciate that.

Based on what I know right now, I would vote to fund renovating parts of College Heights or another CSD elementary building, and providing additional tuition-free care there. I am eager to vote to tax myself to pay for kids to attend the same facility that served our family so well.

Proponents of a new ECLC building have said my preferred option (renovation) is not viable, but haven’t convinced me. My willingness to take them at their word has been fading as months have gone by without meaningful explanations of costs and considerations. What little willingness I had left vanished completely when a senior Decatur school official depicted the SoulShine daycare on West Howard Ave as a literal fireball (see the photo on this page if you think I’m exaggerating).

To be clear, I’m not saying that proponents of a new ECLC are lying about their budgets. I am saying that I have a benefit of the doubt budget and that CSD exhausted it. I don’t think I’m alone in that. Thanks to poor communication, questionable math, and bad attitudes, proponents of a new building do not have my support.

I’m just one person though. All Decatur voters should decide.

Putting municipal bond questions to voters is as American as eagles wearing shades and bandanas. It’s as American as German Chocolate Cake, which is from Pennsylvania. And it’s way more American than the song “American Woman,” which is Canadian. Have you listened to the lyrics? They are not happy with us.

So, yeah, a bond referendum would be patriotic af, help our city settle a contentious issue, and (I hope) generate the money and political agreement to provide early childhood education for kids who need and deserve it. Also, I wouldn’t have to write about this again, which would be a relief to me and tens of others.

Hype for the Future 194W: Leon and Corydon, Iowa

https://novatopflex.wordpress.com/2026/05/13/hype-for-the-future-194w-leon-and-corydon-iowa/

Hype for the Future 194W: Leon and Corydon, Iowa

https://novatopflex.wordpress.com/2026/05/13/hype-for-the-future-194w-leon-and-corydon-iowa/

Hype for the Future 194W: Leon and Corydon, Iowa

https://novatopflex.wordpress.com/2026/05/13/hype-for-the-future-194w-leon-and-corydon-iowa/

Hype for the Future 194W: Leon and Corydon, Iowa

https://novatopflex.wordpress.com/2026/05/13/hype-for-the-future-194w-leon-and-corydon-iowa/

Hype for the Future 194W: Leon and Corydon, Iowa

https://novatopflex.wordpress.com/2026/05/13/hype-for-the-future-194w-leon-and-corydon-iowa/

Hype for the Future 194V: City of Lamoni, Iowa

https://novatopflex.wordpress.com/2026/05/13/hype-for-the-future-194v-city-of-lamoni-iowa/

Hype for the Future 194V: City of Lamoni, Iowa

https://novatopflex.wordpress.com/2026/05/13/hype-for-the-future-194v-city-of-lamoni-iowa/

Hype for the Future 194V: City of Lamoni, Iowa

https://novatopflex.wordpress.com/2026/05/13/hype-for-the-future-194v-city-of-lamoni-iowa/

Hype for the Future 194V: City of Lamoni, Iowa

https://novatopflex.wordpress.com/2026/05/13/hype-for-the-future-194v-city-of-lamoni-iowa/

Hype for the Future 194V: City of Lamoni, Iowa

https://novatopflex.wordpress.com/2026/05/13/hype-for-the-future-194v-city-of-lamoni-iowa/

Hype for the Future 191L: City of Decatur, Illinois

https://novatopflex.wordpress.com/2026/05/10/hype-for-the-future-191l-city-of-decatur-illinois/

Hype for the Future 191L: City of Decatur, Illinois

https://novatopflex.wordpress.com/2026/05/10/hype-for-the-future-191l-city-of-decatur-illinois/

Hype for the Future 191L: City of Decatur, Illinois

https://novatopflex.wordpress.com/2026/05/10/hype-for-the-future-191l-city-of-decatur-illinois/

Hype for the Future 191L: City of Decatur, Illinois

https://novatopflex.wordpress.com/2026/05/10/hype-for-the-future-191l-city-of-decatur-illinois/

Hype for the Future 191L: City of Decatur, Illinois

https://novatopflex.wordpress.com/2026/05/10/hype-for-the-future-191l-city-of-decatur-illinois/

There's going to be a whole lot of music in Decatur next month... I hope they finish renovating the square without problems (and get the new stage up).

June 4-7: Amplify Decatur
June 11-July 19: WatchFest

https://www.amplifydecatur.org/
https://decaturwatchfest26.com/

The organizers seem to think that everyone will be taking vacation for the month of the World Cup. Or that Big Boi is enough of a draw to bring visitors out here when they are not at the games.

#Decatur #music #festival #Atlanta #worldcup2026

There's going to be a whole lot of music in Decatur next month... I hope they finish renovating the square without problems (and get the new stage up).

June 4-7: Amplify Decatur
June 11-July 19: WatchFest

https://www.amplifydecatur.org/
https://decaturwatchfest26.com/

The organizers seem to think that everyone will be taking vacation for the month of the World Cup. Or that Big Boi is enough of a draw to bring visitors out here when they are not at the games.

#Decatur #music #festival #Atlanta #worldcup2026

There's going to be a whole lot of music in Decatur next month... I hope they finish renovating the square without problems (and get the new stage up).

June 4-7: Amplify Decatur
June 11-July 19: WatchFest

https://www.amplifydecatur.org/
https://decaturwatchfest26.com/

The organizers seem to think that everyone will be taking vacation for the month of the World Cup. Or that Big Boi is enough of a draw to bring visitors out here when they are not at the games.

#Decatur #music #festival #Atlanta #worldcup2026

There's going to be a whole lot of music in Decatur next month... I hope they finish renovating the square without problems (and get the new stage up).

June 4-7: Amplify Decatur
June 11-July 19: WatchFest

https://www.amplifydecatur.org/
https://decaturwatchfest26.com/

The organizers seem to think that everyone will be taking vacation for the month of the World Cup. Or that Big Boi is enough of a draw to bring visitors out here when they are not at the games.

#Decatur #music #festival #Atlanta #worldcup2026

There's going to be a whole lot of music in Decatur next month... I hope they finish renovating the square without problems (and get the new stage up).

June 4-7: Amplify Decatur
June 11-July 19: WatchFest

https://www.amplifydecatur.org/
https://decaturwatchfest26.com/

The organizers seem to think that everyone will be taking vacation for the month of the World Cup. Or that Big Boi is enough of a draw to bring visitors out here when they are not at the games.

#Decatur #music #festival #Atlanta #worldcup2026

Hype for the Future 185H: Communities of Eastern Indiana

https://novatopflex.wordpress.com/2026/05/04/hype-for-the-future-185h-communities-of-eastern-indiana/

Hype for the Future 185H: Communities of Eastern Indiana

https://novatopflex.wordpress.com/2026/05/04/hype-for-the-future-185h-communities-of-eastern-indiana/

Hype for the Future 185H: Communities of Eastern Indiana

https://novatopflex.wordpress.com/2026/05/04/hype-for-the-future-185h-communities-of-eastern-indiana/

Hype for the Future 185H: Communities of Eastern Indiana

https://novatopflex.wordpress.com/2026/05/04/hype-for-the-future-185h-communities-of-eastern-indiana/

Hype for the Future 185H: Communities of Eastern Indiana

https://novatopflex.wordpress.com/2026/05/04/hype-for-the-future-185h-communities-of-eastern-indiana/

Hype for the Future 177P: Rhea and Meigs Counties, Tennessee

https://novatopflex.wordpress.com/2026/04/26/hype-for-the-future-177p-rhea-and-meigs-counties-tennessee/

Hype for the Future 177P: Rhea and Meigs Counties, Tennessee

https://novatopflex.wordpress.com/2026/04/26/hype-for-the-future-177p-rhea-and-meigs-counties-tennessee/

Hype for the Future 177P: Rhea and Meigs Counties, Tennessee

https://novatopflex.wordpress.com/2026/04/26/hype-for-the-future-177p-rhea-and-meigs-counties-tennessee/

Hype for the Future 177P: Rhea and Meigs Counties, Tennessee

https://novatopflex.wordpress.com/2026/04/26/hype-for-the-future-177p-rhea-and-meigs-counties-tennessee/

Hype for the Future 177P: Rhea and Meigs Counties, Tennessee

https://novatopflex.wordpress.com/2026/04/26/hype-for-the-future-177p-rhea-and-meigs-counties-tennessee/

Noisy garden parties at metro Atlanta nonprofit have neighbors feeling rattled https://www.allforgardening.com/1727823/noisy-garden-parties-at-metro-atlanta-nonprofit-have-neighbors-feeling-rattled/ #decatur #DecaturCityCommission #garden #StephanieVanParys #SteveMiller #UrbanGreenspace #WyldeCenterOakhurstGarden

Noisy garden parties at metro Atlanta nonprofit have neighbors feeling rattled https://www.allforgardening.com/1727823/noisy-garden-parties-at-metro-atlanta-nonprofit-have-neighbors-feeling-rattled/ #decatur #DecaturCityCommission #garden #StephanieVanParys #SteveMiller #UrbanGreenspace #WyldeCenterOakhurstGarden

Noisy garden parties at metro Atlanta nonprofit have neighbors feeling rattled – WSB-TV Channel 2 https://www.allforgardening.com/1727817/noisy-garden-parties-at-metro-atlanta-nonprofit-have-neighbors-feeling-rattled-wsb-tv-channel-2/ #channel_2 #corey #corey_james #decatur #decatur_city_commission #garden #gardener #gardening #George' #gope_mcqueen #local #miller #sally_wilde #stephanie_van_pierce #steve_miller #van_pierce #wild_center_oakhurst_garden #wsbsyndication

Noisy garden parties at metro Atlanta nonprofit have neighbors feeling rattled – WSB-TV Channel 2 https://www.allforgardening.com/1727817/noisy-garden-parties-at-metro-atlanta-nonprofit-have-neighbors-feeling-rattled-wsb-tv-channel-2/ #channel_2 #corey #corey_james #decatur #decatur_city_commission #garden #gardener #gardening #George' #gope_mcqueen #local #miller #sally_wilde #stephanie_van_pierce #steve_miller #van_pierce #wild_center_oakhurst_garden #wsbsyndication

EU close to approving a $106B loan for Ukraine after months of deadlock | National

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union on Wednesday was on the cusp of approving a massive loan for…
#Europe #EU #business #decatur #energyindustry #euukraineloanrussiahungaryoilpipeline #EuropeanUnion #Generalnews #illinois #Localnews #militaryanddefense #nationalnews #oil-and-gas-industry #Politics #Sanctionsandembargoes #wand #wandnews #wandtv #Worldnews
https://www.europesays.com/europe/20591/

Parts of Decatur IL under boil order until further notice | News

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) – Several areas of Decatur are under a boil order until further notice.  Map of…
#NewsBeep #News #US #USA #UnitedStates #UnitedStatesOfAmerica #Environment #boilorder #decatur #furthernotice #Illinois #localnews #Science #wand #wandtv
https://www.newsbeep.com/us/590236/

Parts of Decatur IL under boil order until further notice | News

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) – Several areas of Decatur are under a boil order until further notice.  Map of…
#NewsBeep #News #US #USA #UnitedStates #UnitedStatesOfAmerica #Environment #boilorder #decatur #furthernotice #Illinois #localnews #Science #wand #wandtv
https://www.newsbeep.com/us/590236/

Agnes Scott College in Decatur is establishing an AI curriculum for all first year students:

“the initiative emphasizes critical thinking, ethical reasoning and responsible decision-making. Students will examine questions related to bias and fairness, privacy and surveillance, accountability, labor displacement and environmental impact, and how these dynamics impact communities differently across the globe.”

https://thechampionnewspaper.com/ai-initiatives-should-become-part-of-all-school-curriculums/
#Decatur #AI #education

Agnes Scott College in Decatur is establishing an AI curriculum for all first year students:

“the initiative emphasizes critical thinking, ethical reasoning and responsible decision-making. Students will examine questions related to bias and fairness, privacy and surveillance, accountability, labor displacement and environmental impact, and how these dynamics impact communities differently across the globe.”

https://thechampionnewspaper.com/ai-initiatives-should-become-part-of-all-school-curriculums/
#Decatur #AI #education